Trip to PARADISE Island
When exploring the Cambodian coast, you will probably want to visit the island of Koh Rong, since it's the most known island in the country. But when traveling by boat to Koh Rong, you don't necessarily need to drop down in that island right away. If you are looking for a desert island experience when the boat arrives at Koh Rong, you can stay in the boat, go a little bit further and there will be another stop in Koh Thansur or Paradise Island.
The island is just developed and there are dozens of accommodations in there, which are not cheap. But there is a possibility to camp at the beach for $10 a night. There are no many restaurants, bars, and fuss. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature to the maximum.
Coming back to our trip; actually, from 21st to 23rd November 2018, it is Cambodia's Water Festival; what was different from the previous year is that we have a two-night camping at Kok Thansur. Since it was a public holiday, it might be a high season for visiting the island. Fortunately, we have carefully planned so that we spent just around a hundred US dollars for two-night-stay. Gratefully, among eight people in the group, we have one lady whose relatives are local residents in Sihanouk province. Hence, they wholeheartedly welcomed us with dinner before directly depart to the island. The importance is that they help us to prepare food and necessary kinds of stuff. Those things pretty lessened our expense.
SERIES OF EVENTS
On 20th November, we spent around 7 hours taking the train from Phnom Penh station to Sihanouk station by passing through few provinces such as Kampong Speu, Takeo, and Kampot. It cost USD 16 for round-trip of one people. Emm, it was my first time to travel by train even though I have already experienced traveling with that kind of transportation in other countries outside Cambodia. To me, it was convenient, since we enjoyed views of the countryside and tasted the food in various provinces, being served by the local people.
We arrived Sihanouk province at about 11:00 PM, and we had a night stay there before leaving to the island.
The next day, 21st November, we were almost late the boat; luckily, we did it. We arrived the boat at about 12:40PM (12:30PM as scheduled), then spent another two hours to reach Koh Thansur. Being together arrived at the destination, we immediately valued the times there. None of us slept or took a break even though everyone seems to be exhausted.
Uhh, remember not to forget to taste the sea water once you arrive at any beach. It tastes nice comparing to inorganic salt we eat, lolz. You can imagine how things were going on there, some lied down on the beach while others acted like a professional swimmer even though those know nothing about swimming. Yeah, we made a memorable moment there, and we ignore sadness or stress from the outside world.
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| Got the smell from paradise island |
Uhh, remember not to forget to taste the sea water once you arrive at any beach. It tastes nice comparing to inorganic salt we eat, lolz. You can imagine how things were going on there, some lied down on the beach while others acted like a professional swimmer even though those know nothing about swimming. Yeah, we made a memorable moment there, and we ignore sadness or stress from the outside world.
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| Kayak Boat Scene |
22nd November, it was the best day of the trip. Started from the morning we were ready for breakfast before going for boating and bicycling. One boat cost USD 5 that is enough for two people to be in a pair. Also, rowing with other groups of people, we spent 45 minutes to reach the origin of fresh water. It was the first time to row kayak boat since I was young. It is impressed and relaxed. Among the group there was one lady used to ride kayak; amazingly, she could not control the direction of the boat while the newcomers could row talentedly. It was a bit tired, but everyone willing not to stop. Immediately after coming back from riding kayak, it was time to borrow others' bicycles. It might be strange, but surely there are not enough bicycles for all visitors. People love things that is free of charge. XD
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| Group Cycling |
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| There was a group of gentlemen stealing bicycle from the neighbor XD |
[...] I wish I could bring my ex to the island!!
It is uneasy to see people around bicycling in a couple while my male-friend and I rode together. I recommend you to ask for bicycle immediately once you arrive at the island, or you can't even find one. Forget it if you do not want to feel the cycling along the beach, under coconut trees in rows with blowing of the peaceful wind.
At the evening, after dinner but before beer, we enjoyed the views of lanterns and fireworks, and also we were able to launch such stuffs for free. To me, it was the second time to launch the lantern; the first time was failed, yet the second one was successfully solo-launching.
At the evening, after dinner but before beer, we enjoyed the views of lanterns and fireworks, and also we were able to launch such stuffs for free. To me, it was the second time to launch the lantern; the first time was failed, yet the second one was successfully solo-launching.
Oh, wait, I almost forget to share the experiences of choosing accommodation. There are two choices namely, bungalow and tent. If I am not wrong, bungalow cost USD 100 per night while a big tent cost USD 80. Anyway, we prefer a small tent (USD 20/night), that is enough for two people to feel the real camping. We can move it to wherever we want except prohibited placed, I mean places without light bulb or ones closed to the grass. Thus, for accommodation, each of us spent only USD 20 for two-night-stay, and we did feel the real camping.
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| Just Smile Everyone |
At the end of the trip, we went back on 23rd and stayed another night in Sihanouk town before coming back Phnom Penh at 07:00AM in the morning of 24th November.
